Control for facsimile apparatus



9, 1958 c. E. HUNT, JR 2,343,535

' comm. FOR mosmxu: APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1954 4 she et-sheet 1 69 Memory Un/f CLAYTON E. HUNT JR.

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CONTROL FOR FACSIMILE APPARATUS j Aug. 19, 1958 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 9, 1954 CLAYTON E. HUNT JR TOR.

AT OR/VEY a AGE/V7 United States Patent CONTROL FOR FACSIMILE APPARATUS Clayton E. Hunt, Jr., Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 9, 1954, Serial No. 474,169

8' Claims. c 178-30) The invention relates to facsimile apparatus and more particularly to means responsive to a signal derived from a card entering a sensing station for rendering the apparatus operative and upon failure of such signal to render the apparatus inoperative.

In U. S. Patent No. Re. 23,713 in the name of C. E. Hunt, Jr., U. S. Patent No. 2,659,652 in the name of Russell G. Thompson and in U. S. patent application Serial No. 394,926 in the names of R. G. Thompson and C. E. Hunt, Jr., apparatus is described for deriving visual representations of characters on a medium from code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of the characters. In such apparatus discrete cards are fed successively from a stack through a sensing station wherein the successive lines of code are analyzed for obtaining signals representative of the code. By circuit means these signals are converted into electrical signals which are utilized to energize either singly or in combinations a plurality of recorders for producing a visual representation of the characters on the medium.

As is well-known in the handling of discrete sheets or cards, considerable difficulty is encountered when the edges of the sheet or card are frayed, folded, bent and/or torn. In apparatus for feeding sheets or cards, it is also well-known to provide switches under the stack and in the path of the card for rendering the card feed inoperative when the last card is fed from the stack or when a card jams and fails to actuate the switch arranged in its path. Switch devices with a delay for permitting the card to reach some predetermined point before the drive means is rendered inoperative are also known. The prior art, however, is concerned primarily with rendering the card feeding means inoperative, and such feeding means is usually independent of any other apparatus or device which handles the information contained on the cards. In the apparatus with which the invention is associated, the cards are moved at a very high rate of speed and must be moved in synchronism with the medium on which the character is to be printed. Also, since the card stack and sensing station are separated it is necessary to render the feeding means inoperative only after the last card to be moved into the sensing station has been read. Accordingly, it has been found there is a decided advantage in eliminating any hopper or jam switches and jointly controlling the printer and feeding means by the card entering the sensing station. By this means the number of blank labels can be reduced to a controlled minimum, and if the timing relationship of the printer and card feeding means is in error outside of a predetermined amount or tolerance, the entire machine is rendered inoperative.

The primary object of the invention is, therefore, to provide in facsimile apparatus control means responsive to cards being moved successively into the sensing station for initiating the printer and, upon failure of cards to be fed into the sensing station, for rendering the printer and feeding means inoperative.

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Another object of the invention is to provide in facsimile apparatus control means responsive to cards being moved successively into the sensing station for ren dering the printer and feeding means inoperative when the movement of the cards and the medium on which characters are being printed are not in synchronism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in facsimile apparatus control means responsive to, cards being moved successively into the sensing station for initiating a timing chain from which signals are derived for coupling the feeding means to the medium moving means.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide in facsimile apparatus control means responsive to cards being moved successively into the sensing station for initiating the printer, for initiating delivery of signals to the printer and for maintaining said feeding means and the printer operative.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by the description thereof which follows:

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the sensing station and circuits associated therewith embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the printer and showing the relation of the printing heads;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the feeding and sensing stations and the arrangement for interconnecting the printer and feeding means;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 in Fig. 3 and showing a portion of the feeding means;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the sensing station and showing in connection therewith the relation of the timing chains to the reading slots;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the sensing station and showing the relation of the elements thereof;

Fig. 7 is a view of a card showing the areas thereof as related to the printing heads; and

Fig. 8 is a label as produced by the printer.

In the above patents and application, and particularly U. S. Patent No. Re. 23,713 and the pending application, the circuitry utilized for converting the signals derived from the code on the card into electrical signals for operating the printer styli is fully disclosed. Hence, in the invention presently described only that portion of the circuitry which is directly related with the invention is disclosed and is to be described only generally in that a full disclosure may be had from the above-mentioned patents and application.

As disclosed in Fig. 7, card 10 is divided into four areas, A, B, C and D, each of the areas having successive lines of code apertures 11 punched therein and each line of code being-representative of a character. As noted in the above patents and application, area A can designate a name, area B an address, area C the city and state and area D an account number, date, etc. Circuit eans converts the signals derived from the card into electrical signals which actuate a plurality of stylii either singly or in different combinations to produce a visual representation of the character on a medium in accordance with the code on the card. A plurality of such stylii are associated with each area of card 10 and produce such visual representations along collateral paths to produce an address label or dick strip for each card, as shown in Fig. 8.

Such a printer is disclosed in Fig. 2, wherein 14, 15, 16 and 17 designate the printer heads, each of said heads comprising seven stylii and magnetic meansresponsive 3 to electrical signals for moving said styli as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,659,652.

The medium 18 on which the characters are printed is moved by the toothed drum 19 from supply reel 20 over guide rolls 21, over platen 22 under the styli in printing station 23, around drum 19, and to take-up reel 24. The styli print onto medium 18 by means of a carbon tape 25 which is moved therewith from supply reel 26, over guide rolls 27, over platen 22 and in contact with medium 18 in the printing station, and to takeup reel 28. It is evident that as the styli are moved toward platen 22, they strike carbon tape 25 which marks the intervening medium 18. Medium 18 can be a paper tape or any other material which will readily accept the carbon transferred from tape 25.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, cards 14) are stacked in receptacle and are removed successively from the bottom of the stack, in a well-known manner, by reciprocating pickers 31. The cards are moved by pickers 31 into the bite of rolls 32 which move the cards into engagement with locating bar 33. In this position, the cards are moved at right angles to their former movement by reciprocating picker 34 and into the bite of rolls 35 which move the cards through sensing station 36. Beyond this station, rolls 37 grip the cards for moving them into a stacker or receptacle 38. Motor 39, by means of chain drive 40, rotates shaft 41. Shaft 41 carries bevel gear 42 which through bevel 43 drives shaft 44 and bevel gear 45 and through bevel gear 46 drives shaft 47. Gear 45 meshes with gear 48 on shaft 49 to drive the lower rolls of the pairs of rolls 37. In a like manner, shaft 41 carries the lower rolls of the pairs of rolls 35 and shaft 47 carries the lower rolls of the pairs of rolls 32, see Fig. 4. Link 50 is eccentrically connected to shaft 47 at one end and secured to shaft 51 at the other end so that the oscillation of link 50 is transmitted to shaft 51 which, in turn, causes gear segment 52 to be oscillated for reciprocating picker 31. Bevel gear 53, see Fig. 4, mates with a gear, not shown, on shaft 51 for transmitting the oscillations of shaft 51 to shaft 54 and to gear segment 55 associated therewith, as just described, to provide a feeding means for moving the cards from a feeding station and through sensing station 36 to be more fully described hereinafter.

Also secured to shaft 41 is one side of an electromagnetic friction clutch 57, the other side being secured to shaft 58 which, through gears 59, drives drum 19. By this means a drive is obtained for tape 18 which insures that cards 10 and tape 18 are driven in synchronism by means interconnecting the feeding means therefor. As is well-known, take-up reels 24 and 28 are also driven through tendency drives, not shown, which are taken off shaft 58 in any suitable manner. By the arrangement already described, it is evident that printing station 23 is in close proximity to and adjacent the feeding and sensing stations.

Sensing station 36 comprises tWo spaced rows 61 of apertures in a plate 62 over which cards 10 are moved. Lamps 63 and lenses 64 are arranged below the plate to direct a beam of light through the apertures. Above plate 62 and aligned with each aperture is a light-sensitive device 65, such as a photoelectric cell. The spacing of each row 61 of apertures is in accordance with the type of card being used and is such that the respective rows, in each area can be read or sensed simultaneously. At a predetermined point between rows 61 of the apertures in plate 62, a single aperture 66 is provided with lamp 67, lens 68 and light sensitive device 69 aligned therewith. Aperture 66 is positioned so that it is aligned with the space between any two card apertures and so proportioned that no signal can be received thereby from any punched hole in the card for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As described in the above-mentioned patents and application, the photocells associated with each of areas 4 A, B, C and D of card 10 will receive signals in difiierent combinations simultaneously from each respective line of code in each area. Each group of cells, therefore, is associated with one of printers 14-17. As a result, the description relating to any one of said areas is the same as for the other areas. Consequently, the following description will be directed to the signals obtained from cells 65 associated with area A of card 10.

In order to insure synchronization of the card feed and the successive scanning of the lines, see Fig. 1, a disc 70 is provided with a number of radial slots 71 equivalent in number to the number of lines of code in each area of the card and is geared or directly connected to the card feed. A light source 72 is arranged on one side of disc 70 with a photocell 73 on the other side thereof. The light transmitted through slots 71 and falling on photocell 73 provides a signal which is utilized as a synchronizing signal for each line of code passing under cells 65. The signals from cell 73 are connected to an amplifier 74 which, in turn, delivers the amplified signal to each of the amplifier and gating circuits 75. Each of cells 65 is connected to one of circuits 75. Since the binary code is of six elements, six of cells 65 are utilized for an area. The signal from amplifier 74 is, therefore, connected to four such groups of circuits 75, each group being associated with a different area of card 10.- The signals from cells 65 are gated by the signal from amplifier 74 to make short pulses. The signals from amplifier 74 are also transmitted to ring chain 76 which have the property of being stepped along by the disc signal so that output pulses are delivered successively to leads 77 connected to sockets 78.

With reference to Fig. 5, 61 designates the rows of apertures in plate 62 and aperture 66 is shown arranged therebetween. The top scale is representative of.time in terms of columns of code and the number of ring chains 76. In the embodiment to be described, it is assumed that each card is provided with 48 columns or lines of possible code and that the spacing between the last line of code on one card and the edge of the succeeding card is equivalent to 2 columns of code which makes a total of 50 columns of code. Hence, for each column it is necessary to provide an equivalent number of ring chains 76. For this reason, ring chains 76 in Fig. 1 are shown as being connected by dotted lines to indicate that others therebetween have been omitted. If it is assumed that ring chains 76 are in their normal state and aperture 66 is uncovered, then as a card 10 is moved through the sensing station 36, its leading edge starts to cover aperture 66 and at the time its first column of code is aligned with aperture 66 a signal is developed by cell 69 which is transmitted to amplifier 79 and thence to the first unit of ring chain 76. Theintermittent signals from ampliher 74 together with the continuous signal from cell 69 cause stepping of chains 76 and successive signals delivered to each of leads 77. Since the first code line on card 10 is aligned with aperture 66 at the instant the first ring chain is pulsed and aperture 66 is aligned with the 13th unit of ring chain 76, at the time the first and 25th lines of code are aligned with apertures 61 for reading of the code the 13th stage of ring chain 76 is also being stepped.

A disc 80 is provided with a plurality of slots 81 and has a light source 82 arranged on one side and a photocell 83 on the other side. A second disc 84 is arranged on the opposite side of source 82 and is provided with a single slot 85. Photocell 86 is arranged opposite source 82 with disc 84 therebetween. Both of discs 80 and 84 are rotated in synchronism with the movement of tape 18 through the printer. The signals derived by cell 83 by means of slots 81 are amplified at 87 and transmitted to seven flip-flop circuits 88, the last of which is connected to each stage of ring chains 89. The signal derived from cell 86 is amplified at 90 and also delivered to ring chains 89. The synchronization is such that for each character seven pulses are delivered by cell 83,

ge -s35 five of these pulses being utilized to sequentially operate the printer and the seventh being utilized to step ring chains 89 once for every seven pulses and to pulse the voltage source 91. Since a label comprises the equivalent of twenty-seven characters; that is, the distance S from center to center of perforations 92 in tape 18, see Fig. 8, disc 80 is provided with 189 slots whereas disc 84 is provided with only a single slot. The signal obtained from disc 84 is used to initiate ring chain 89 with a signal from disc 81; both discs being rotated at the same speed.

The signals derived from the lines of code in area A of card are transmitted to the circuits 75 and gated with the signal derived from disc 70. As a result, an electrical signal representative of the character coded in each line of card 10 is posted on one or more of the terminals of each socket 78 successively. Since each letter or digit will be represented by the energization of a different combination of the six cells 65 associated with each area, the signals will be applied to the terminals on the socket 78 associated with the cells so energized. The signals on each of socket 78 are then transmitted to the memory unit 94 associated with each socket, the successive transmission to said memory units being stepped along by ring chains 76. In the same way, the signals in units 94 are read out successively by means of ring chains 89, the output signals being transmitted by lines 95 to fiip-fiop circuits, to a decoding circuit, to a synthesizing circuit and then to a matrix circuit gated by flip-flop circuits 88, as fully disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application.

With reference to Fig. 5, the scale below apertures 61 is representative of the twenty-seven ring chains 89. This number of chains 89 is obtained from the twentyfour lines of code plus three for spacing of the characters with respect to perforations 92. As disclosed in Fig. 5, ring chains 76 which are fifty in number complete a cycle of operation in the same time as a cycle of operation of ring chains 89 is completed, in one case the cycle being with respect to card 10 and in the other with respect to tape 18 as a complete label which is as shown in Fig. 8. At the instant the first column of card 10 is aligned with its sensing aperture 61, a signal is derivedfrom the 13th chain 76 which is transmitted to amplifier 96. This signal is transmitted to relay 97, see Fig. 3, and energizes it to thereby close contacts 98 and through line 99 energize relay 100 across lines 101 and 102 which are connected to motor 39 upon closure of line switch 103, said line switch being first closed in order to render the card feeding means operative. Upon energization of relay 100, contacts 104 are closed to maintain relay 100 energized by means of line 105 connecting it across lines 101 and 102 and contacts 106 are closed to connect clutch 57 across said lines 101 and 102.

'80 and 84 initiate the first of ring chains 89 to commence the read-out of signals in memory'units 94. The

delay in time between the 13th and 24th stages of ring chains 76 is required for complete engagement of clutch ,57 and movement of tape 18 at a speed in accordance with that of cards 10. The read-out of the signals in memory units 94 into the other circuits ultimately result in actuation of recording elements or styli 110. At a point along chains 76, for instance at the 31st stage, a

signal is derived from the ring chain which initiates a flip-flop circuit or ring chain 112 which provides a signal to amplifier 113 rendering it unresponsive to any received signal. At a further point along chains 76, for

example at the 36th stage, a signal is derived from the ring chain 76 which returns flip-flop circuit 112 to its normal state which places amplifier 113 in condition for receiving a signal. As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a signal is derived from ring chain 89 at a point, with respect to time, which is between that of the signals delivered to flip-flop circuit 112 by ring chain 76, for instance at the 6th stage thereof, and is transmitted to amplifier 113. Since this latter signal is received by amplifier 113 at a time it is unresponsive to any signal, the signal is ineffective. As long as cards 10 are fed through sensing station 36 and the signal from chain 89 is transmitted to amplifier 113 between the signals from chain 76, the printer, tape feed and card feedcontinue uninterrupted.

In the event cards 10 fail to feed for any reason, such as depletion of cards in the stack or a card jammed somewhere along its path of movement, the previous card is completely sensed and the signals derived from the lines of code thereon result in complete printing of the characters on medium 18. However, since no card follows, no signal is derived from aperture 66 and cell 69 so that chain 76 is not initiated for another cycle and no signals are derived from the 31st and 36th stages of chains 76. Relay is maintained across lines 101 and 102 so that clutch 57 continues to drive drum 19. As long as tape 18 is being moved, discs 80 and 84 are rotated and chain 89 is reset and commences another cycle after printing of the last card. However, at the 6th stage of ring chains 89, a signal is delivered to amplifier 113 which, because it is not blocked by ring chain 112 due to no signal being transmitted thereto from the 31st stage of chain 76, causes relay to be energized, thereby opening line 102 and deenergizing motor 39 and clutch 57. This resultsin a loss of only one label and complete stoppage of the card feed, printer and tape 18.

In addition to stoppage of these elements due to the cards, the same result is attained, if for any reason synchronization between the card and tape feeding mechanisms is lost. During the normal feeding of cards 10, the signal derived from chain 89 is blocked from amplifier 113 when it is received after the signal from the 31st stage of ring chain 76 and before the signal from the 36th stage. This time interval represents the limits of synchronization tolerance that can be accommodated by the apparatus. However, if the signal derived from chain 89 is transmitted to amplifier 113 either before or after the signals from chain 76; that is, at a time when amplifier 113 is not blocked by chain 112, then such signal results in energization of relay 115 and automatic stoppage of the apparatus.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that card 10 controls operation of the apparatus to insure operation thereof only if cards are being fed in a normal manner and the card feed, tape feed and printer are operating in proper synchronism. Such a control means eliminates the need for hopper switches, jam switches, built-in delay systems, etc., and maintains a proper timing relationship between the card and tape feeding means. It is to be understood that the number of chains 76 and 89 can be varied depending on the number of lines of code in the card, that the position of aperture 66 with respect to apertures 61 can be varied, and that signals derived from chains 76 and 89 can also be varied to suit the particular application without departing from the spirit of the invention. Many modifications of the elements may be suggested to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description of the invention; however, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Having now particularly described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States and what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals intoa multiple series of electric signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combinations for markingsaid medium in the form of the character designated by said signals, and an initiating circuit means arranged in said sensing station ahead of said sensing means and connected to said circuit means and said connecting means, said initiating circuit means being responsive to each card moved through said sensing station for deriving a signal from each card to initiate said circuit means and said connecting means in a predetermined time relation.

2. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drivevmeans, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements, means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electric signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combinations for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals, an initiating circuit means arranged in said sensing station ahead of said sensing means and connected to said circuit means, said initiating circuit means being responsive to each card moved through said sensing station for deriving a signal from each card to initiate said circuit means, and a control circuit connected to said circuit means and said connecting means and responsive to a signal derived from said circuit means subsequent to initiation thereof for rendering said connecting means and said recording elements operative.

3. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements, means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electric signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in in combina tions for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals, means arranged in said sensing station and responsive to cards being moved into said sensing station for deriving a signal from each of said cards to initiate said circuit means, and a control circuit connected to said drive means, said connecting means and said circuit means and responsive to a signal derived from said circuit means subsequent to initiation thereof for rendering said connecting means and said recording elements operative and for rendering said drive means inoperative upon failure of said feeding means to move a card into said sensing station.

4. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements, means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electrical signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combination for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals and including a first gating circuit and a second gating circuit for controlling transmission of said coded character signals to said circuit means, an initiating circuit means arranged in said sensing station ahead of said sensing means and connected to said circuit means, said initiating circuit means being responsive to each card moved through said sensing station for deriving a signal from each card to initiate said first gating circuit, and a control circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and to said connecting means and responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage for rendering said connecting means operative.

5. An apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and includig a row of recording elements, means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electrical signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combination for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals and including a first gating circuit and a second gating circuit for controlling transmission of said coded character signals to said circuit means, means arranged in said sensing station and responsive to cards being moved thereinto for deriving a signal from each of said cards to initiate said first gating circuit, a control circuit including a first amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and to said connecting means, a second amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said second gating circuit and to said drive means, and a bistable circuit means connected to a stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said first gating circut and ahead of said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, to a second stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, and to said second amplifier circuit, said first amplifier circuit being responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage of said first gating circuit for initiating said connecting means, said bistable circuit means being switched by each signal derived from said stage of said first gating circuit to a state to block said second amplifier means for maintaining said drive means operative and being switched to a normal state by each signal drived from said second stage of said first gating circuit as long as successive cards initiate said first gating circuit, and said second amplifier means being responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit for rendering said drive means inoperative upon failure of cards to be moved into said sensing station.

6. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and past said sensing means, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements, means for feeding said medium past and in working relation to said row of recording elements, means adapted to operatively connect said card moving means and said medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electrical signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combination for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals and including a first gating circuit and a second gating circuit for controlling transmission of said coded character signals to said circuit means, means arranged in said sensing station and responsive to cards being moved thereinto for deriving a signal from each of said cards to initiate said first gating circuit, a control circuit including a first amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and to said connecting means, a second amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said second gating circuit and to said drive means, and a bistable circuit means connected to a stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and ahead of said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, to a second stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit and to said second amplifier circuit, said first amplifier circuit being responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage of said first gating circuit for initiating said connecting means, said bistable circuit means being switched by each signal derived from said stage of said first gating circuit to a state to block said second amplifier means for maintaining said drive means operative and being switched to a normal state by each signal derived from said second stage of said first gating circuit as long as successive cards initiate said first gating circuit, and said second amplifier means being responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit to render said drive means inoperative, upon failure of said connecting means to operatively connect said card and medium moving means in synchronism, whereby the signal derived from said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit occurs before the signal from said stage and after the signal from said second stage of said first gating circuit.

7. In apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and through said sensing station, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a roW of recording elements, means for moving said medium past and in working rela tion to said row of recording elements, clutch means adapted to operatively connect said card and medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electrical signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combinations for marking said medium in the form of the character designed by said signals and including a first gating circuit and a second gating circuit for controlling transmission of said coded character signals to said circuit means, an initiating circuit means arranged in said sensing station ahead of said sensing means and connected to said circuit means, said initiating circuit means being responsive to each card moved through said sensing station for deriving a signal from each card to initiate said circuit means, a first amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and to said connecting means and responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage for initiating said connecting means, a second amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said second gating circuit and to said drive means and responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage for rendering said drive means inoperative, upon failure of cards to be moved into said sensing station, and a bistable circuit means connected to a stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage and ahead of said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, to a second stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, and to said second amplifier circuit, said bistable circuit means being switched by each signal derived from said stage of said first gating circuit to a state to block said second amplifier circuit for maintaining said drive means operative as long as successive cards initiate said first gating circuit, and being switched to a normal state by each signal derived from said second stage of said first gating circuit.

8. in apparatus for printing visual representations of characters on a medium in accordance with code arranged on cards in successive lines representative of said characters comprising a feeding station, sensing means arranged beyond said feeding station for deriving signals from said lines of code individual to the character representative thereof, a drive means, means operatively connected to said drive means for moving said cards successively from said feeding station and through said sensing station, a printing station adjacent said feeding station and said sensing means and including a row of recording elements, means for moving said medium past and in Working relation to said row of recording elements, clutch means adapted to operatively connect said card and medium moving means for moving said cards and medium in synchronism, circuit means responsive to said sensing means for translating said coded character signals into a multiple series of electrical signals to actuate said recording elements singly and in combinations for marking said medium in the form of the character designated by said signals and including a first gating circuit and a second gating circuit for controlling transmission of said coded character signals to said circuit means, an initiating circuit arranged in said sensing station ahead of said sensing means and connected to said circuit means, said initiating circuit means being responsive to each card moved through said sensing station for deriving a signal from each card to initiate said circuit means, a first amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said first gating circuit and to said connecting means and responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage for initiating said connecting means, a second amplifier circuit connected to a predetermined stage of said second gating circuit and to said drive means and responsive to a signal derived from said predetermined stage for rendering said drive means inoperative, upon failure of cards to be moved into said sensing station and upon failure of said connecting means to operatively connect said card and medium moving means in synchronism, and a bistable circuit means connected to a stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage and ahead of said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, to'a second stage of said first gating circuit beyond said predetermined stage of said second gating circuit, and to said second amplifier circuit, said bistable circuit means being switched by each signal derived from said stage of 12 said first gating circuit to a state to block said second amplifier circuit for maintaining said drive means operative as long as successive cards initiate said first gating circuit, being switched to a normal state by each signal derived from said second stage of said first gating circuit and being ineffective with respect to said second amplifier means when the signal derived from the predetermined stage of said second gating circuit occurs before or after the signals derived from said stage and second stage of 10 said first gating circuit.

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